Valley Central choir set to sing anthem at Citi

This one falls under the heading of listen to the kids. Of course, Kim Carver always has made a habit of listening to her students.

This one falls under the heading of listen to the kids. Of course, Kim Carver always has made a habit of listening to her students.

"Kids are remarkable beings and you learn from them,'' said Carver, who directs the Valley Central High School Chamber Choir. "They have good ideas, and you have to go with them.''

That's exactly what Carver did when choir member Doug Harrington, a senior, returned from a Mets game last season talking about a choir singing the national anthem. Harrington, a diehard Mets fan, figured Valley Central could sing it, as well. Carver sent a track to the Mets in October, and the school's elite choir group got the nod.

The Chamber Choir will sing the anthem before the Mets-Padres game Wednesday at Citi Field. First pitch is 7:10 p.m. Forty-nine of the 53-member choir — four had commitments — will line up on the first-base side of home plate in their new T-shirts reading, "VCHS Chamber Choir'' with the date, "4/3/13.''

"The kids are ecstatic,'' Carver said, "and I am, too.''

The group is using the appearance to raise money for the Montgomery Food Pantry. The Chamber does concerts and competitions and has sung the anthem often, so Carver isn't worried about the execution or potential nervousness.

"You know what, I think they are not going to be nervous,'' she said. "They are all just pretty excited to be down there.''

Kevin Gleason

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